(1995) Premier Bob Carr?! Unravelling the Mystery
From the forests of the Northern Tableland to the wilderness of mirrors in the NSW Legislative Assembly, Bob Carr has trekked all over the state in search of political mileage.
(1995) Archbishop James Patrick Carroll (1908-1995)
Archbishop James Carroll left no memoirs, generally refused interviews with historians and was very guarded about what he said about his role in some of the significant events in the ALP’s and Australia’s political history.
(1995) Honest John Can Win With the Right Formula
John Howard will be tougher, more cunning, and intellectually miles ahead of his former leader, Alexander Downer. Hence he will be a more formidable presence in the parliament and will be, at least in the short term, a heartening force for Liberals and their supporters. ‘But can he win the next election?’ is the question that matters.
(1995) Throw Away The Key! The NSW State Poll
The NSW State election is a yawn. Both parties are struggling to excite the electorate. Really struggling. A note of hysteria is sounding in the rhetoric and propaganda in the campaign. This is especially so with respect to law and order. It is not certain, however, whether the electorate is paying much attention.
(1995) Coalition Failed to Meet the Challenge of Reform
Conventional wisdom suggests governments lose elections rather than oppositions winning them. So, in considering whether John Fahey deserves to lose, it might be useful to dwell on the merits of his team, the “Fahey bunch”, as they are called in the ALP election jingle.
(1995) Future Unstable No Matter Who Wins
On election night an ebullient, relieved Bob Carr looked every bit the victor. John Fahey looked like he felt – exhausted and disappointed at the prospect of defeat.
(1995) Rethink Needed on Federal State Powers
Is Bob Carr just kite flying or is he serious about a revamp of federal-State powers? Last weekend the new NSW Premier agreed with the proposition that the States were becoming like branch offices of the Federal government.
(1995) Success and “Failure” as Finance Minister
It is remarkable how a former Minister with a poor understanding of the personalities and factions in the ALP, nonetheless could write the most perceptive account of Labor in power over the past decade.
(1994) Today’s Political Style Masks Consistency with Traditions of Labor
Behind the details, program and hoo-hah about the White Paper on Employment is a vision about the future and a view about Labor’s past.
(1994) Nove Exposed Soviet System with Engaging Skepticism
For those who think that ideas do not matter much, that the arcane debates within the socialist tradition are mostly irrelevant, the death two weeks ago of Alex Nove (1915-1994) will pass as something of little moment.